No abstract

Background-Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in inflamed atherosclerotic plaques may contribute to extracellular matrix remodeling and the onset of acute thrombotic complications. Methods and Results-To test the hypothesis that optical molecular imaging with the use of an activatable near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe can detect enzymatic action of MMP in atherosclerotic plaques, we used a NIRF substrate for gelatinases (MMP-2/gelatinase-A and MMP-9/gelatinase-B) in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE Ϫ/Ϫ ) mice that consumed a high-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks and age-matched apoE ϩ/ϩ mice as control.